2026 -- S 2890

========

LC005178

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE

     

     Introduced By: Senators Urso, Murray, Ujifusa, Vargas, Lauria, Valverde, Appollonio,
and Rogers

     Date Introduced: March 04, 2026

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1

     SECTION 1. Chapter 27-18 of the General Laws entitled "Accident and Sickness Insurance

2

Policies" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

3

     27-18-96. Coverage for hormonal and non-hormonal therapy to treat menopause.

4

     (a) Any group health insurer subject to the provisions of this chapter, that is amended,

5

delivered, issued, or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage for

6

medically necessary hormone therapy treatment to treat:

7

     (1) Menopause that has been induced by a hysterectomy; or

8

     (2) Therapy to treat menopausal symptoms if the therapy is recommended by a qualified

9

health care provider who is licensed, accredited, or certified under Rhode Island law and the therapy

10

has been proven safe and effective in peer-reviewed scientific studies.

11

     (b) Coverage for therapy to treat menopausal symptoms shall include all federal Food and

12

Drug Administration-approved modalities of hormonal and non-hormonal administration

13

including, but not limited to, oral, transdermal, topical, and vaginal rings.

14

     SECTION 2. Chapter 27-19 of the General Laws entitled "Nonprofit Hospital Service

15

Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

16

     27-19-88. Coverage for hormonal and non-hormonal therapy to treat menopause.

17

     (a) Any group health insurer subject to the provisions of this chapter, that is amended,

18

delivered, issued, or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage for

19

medically necessary hormone therapy treatment to treat:

 

1

     (1) Menopause that has been induced by a hysterectomy; or

2

     (2) Therapy to treat menopausal symptoms if the therapy is recommended by a qualified

3

health care provider who is licensed, accredited, or certified under Rhode Island law and the therapy

4

has been proven safe and effective in peer-reviewed scientific studies.

5

     (b) Coverage for therapy to treat menopausal symptoms shall include all federal Food and

6

Drug Administration-approved modalities of hormonal and non-hormonal administration

7

including, but not limited to, oral, transdermal, topical, and vaginal rings.

8

     SECTION 3. Chapter 27-20 of the General Laws entitled "Nonprofit Medical Service

9

Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

10

     27-20-84. Coverage for hormonal and non-hormonal therapy to treat menopause.

11

     (a) Any group health insurer subject to the provisions of this chapter, that is amended,

12

delivered, issued, or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage for

13

medically necessary hormone therapy treatment to treat:

14

     (1) Menopause that has been induced by a hysterectomy; or

15

     (2) Therapy to treat menopausal symptoms if the therapy is recommended by a qualified

16

health care provider who is licensed, accredited, or certified under Rhode Island law and the therapy

17

has been proven safe and effective in peer-reviewed scientific studies.

18

     (b) Coverage for therapy to treat menopausal symptoms shall include all federal Food and

19

Drug Administration-approved modalities of hormonal and non-hormonal administration

20

including, but not limited to, oral, transdermal, topical, and vaginal rings.

21

     SECTION 4. Chapter 27-41 of the General Laws entitled "Health Maintenance

22

Organizations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

23

     27-41-101. Coverage for hormonal and non-hormonal therapy to treat menopause.

24

     (a) Any group health insurer subject to the provisions of this chapter, that is amended,

25

delivered, issued, or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage for

26

medically necessary hormone therapy treatment to treat:

27

     (1) Menopause that has been induced by a hysterectomy; or

28

     (2) Therapy to treat menopausal symptoms if the therapy is recommended by a qualified

29

health care provider who is licensed, accredited, or certified under Rhode Island law and the therapy

30

has been proven safe and effective in peer-reviewed scientific studies.

31

     (b) Coverage for therapy to treat menopausal symptoms shall include all federal Food and

32

Drug Administration-approved modalities of hormonal and non-hormonal administration

33

including, but not limited to, oral, transdermal, topical, and vaginal rings.

 

LC005178 - Page 2 of 4

1

     SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC005178

========

 

LC005178 - Page 3 of 4

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE

***

1

     This act would mandate health insurance coverage for medically necessary hormonal and

2

non-hormonal therapy to treat menopausal symptoms if the therapy is recommended by a qualified

3

health care provider who is licensed, accredited, or certified under Rhode Island law and the therapy

4

has been proven safe and effective. This coverage would be mandated for all insurance policies

5

issued on or after January 1, 2027.

6

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC005178

========

 

LC005178 - Page 4 of 4